Iran not responsible of unrest in Gulf: Saudi Grand Mufti

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh has ruled out the alleged involvement of Iran in the unrest among Shi’ite Muslims and demonstrations being carried out in Gulf Arab states.

The highest religious authority in the Kingdom has issued a condemnation statement regarding the disorder that apparently blame Iran for unrest in Shia-populated countries mainly Bahrain.

“The Arab Gulf is being targeted by attacks seeking to discredit religion and eliminate the material interests and wealth it holds,” Egyptian newspaper quoted Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al al-Sheikh as saying in his Friday sermon in Riyadh.

He also warned people not to pay heed to “enemies” who called on them to protest and said that certain elements aim to divide the people of the region.

Shi’ites in Bahrain have staged massive demonstrations against the regime in the country while a bit of unrest has also been witnessed in Eastern Saudi Arabia in the last two years. Both Sunni authorities have frequently blamed Shi’ite Iran behind the unrest.